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Connacht suffer record loss as Penaud boosts Bordeaux


Damian Penaud eyes the try line for the Bordeaux-Begles. Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images
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Connacht made a miserable start to their Investec Champions Cup campaign as they were beaten 41-5 by Bordeaux-Begles in Galway.

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The French club claimed a bonus-point triumph, with France World Cup star Damian Penaud playing a key role as Connacht suffered their heaviest home defeat in top-flight European competition.

Penaud finished off a flowing move for his team’s second try, while full-back Romain Buros and Penaud’s fellow wing Pablo Uberti each touched down twice.

Bordeaux were also awarded a penalty try, with Maxime Lucu kicking a penalty and two conversions and Paul Abadie adding a late conversion.

Points Flow Chart

Bordeaux win +36
Time in lead
0
Mins in lead
74
0%
% Of Game In Lead
91%
52%
Possession Last 10 min
48%
0
Points Last 10 min
7

Connacht were never in the hunt, despite an early try from flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton.

Their cause was not helped by the loss of Ireland back Mack Hansen after he suffered a first-half injury and they face a tough task to regroup for next Saturday’s away clash against three-time European champions Saracens.

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NoLongerARuck 47 minutes ago
‘South Africa has produced enough URC finalists. This season it needs a champion’

To be perfectly honest it will be difficuly. The Sharks have almost no hope, their team and squad seems weaker each year and they look like they are lacking X-factor in a number of areas and their coach is way too inexperienced. I wonder if they can even crack the top 8. The Lions dont have the depth or resources but they have cohesion and some really intriguing combos, making the top 8 again should be their target to build on the success of last season. The Stormers have made some big signings but those Boks may only be available for half the season and therin lies the problem for them. They have plenty of quality in the squad but they lose so much to the Boks and have serious player availability problems. The Bulls have signed some reliable performers but thats been to replace some world class performers who have left. Their squad looks weaker this year but they have some depth and experience and are the most likely to finish in the top 2 with a running game thats continuously evolving. Overall I dont see any of the franchises finishing 1st on the log which is an absolute must considering the dip in performances when they play away. Having said that Leinster (ageing squad, less depth), Glasgow (several star players left) and Munster (depth issues in several positions) all look weaker this year compared to last. So maybe that evens itself out as far as the SA franchises are concerned but only time will tell.

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